City of Ocoee rolls with first skate park, pump track

The new park will open in May at Vandergrift Central Park.

Andrea Mujica Staff Writer

The city of Ocoee is getting ready to welcome its first skate park and pump track this year.

Last year, Ocoee leaders began discussing project details, including budget and possible locations. Vandergrift Central Park was chosen as the perfect place for the skate park and pump track because of its location.

“The park is our most centrally located park,” Ocoee Parks and Recreation Director Mark Johnson said. “(It is) easily accessible by skateboarders and bicyclists from the surrounding neighborhoods.”

According to Johnson, the funds for the park come from the Parks and Recreation Capital Budget, and the total cost of the park will be $528,000.

Both the skate park and pump track will sit on about 18,000 square feet.

“The city wanted to add something new and different to their parks, and the citizens have stated over the past several years this is something they wanted,” Johnson said.

The park will provide opportunities for residents to stay healthy and practice myriad sports, and city leaders hope it will offer a space for families to enjoy an all-wheel friendly envi- ronment. People will be able to inline skate, bike, rollerskate and scooter within the facilities.

Included in the amenities, the skate park will have a state-of-theart pump track. This track is named from the pumping motion riders make using their upper and lower body while riding around the track. They use the pumping motion to maintain speed without having to pedal. The skate park also will feature a half-pipe and a number of rails and bank ramps.

In addition to the skate park and the pump track, visitors of Vandergrift Central Park can enjoy the amenities located within the park, such as a playground, basketball courts, a pavilion, as well as serving as the home for the Babe Ruth baseball league and the Pop Warner Football team.

The space previously was used by T-ball teams and volleyball groups for practice.

Although there is not a specific date set for the park to be completed, Johnson said it is expected to open in May.

Regulations for the skate park and pump track still are being developed as construction continues.

For more information, contact the Ocoee Parks and Recreation Department at (407) 877-5803.